"States and local health departments need the assistance now," the state lawmakers wrote. "Implementation of the state's response is hampered by the uncertainty of federal funding."

In pregnant women, the Zika virus has been linked to microcephaly, a birth defect causing babies to have abnormally small heads and serious developmental problems.

Congress is expected to take up a funding bill for Zika prevention this week. The Obama administration in February asked U.S. lawmakers to set aside $1.9 billion to combat the mosquito-borne disease, but that's reached a three-month stalemate as Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate hammer out the details of a proposal that would spend less.

A bill offered in the Senate would allocate about $1.1 billion; a House proposal offered roughly $620 million.

Notably, the state lawmakers' letter did not take sides in the congressional debate.

"We urge you to help ensure a coordinated and robust response by the federal government to combat the spread of Zika," they wrote.

As the fetus's brain starts to grow, it creates pressure, which pushes on the skull and causes it to grow. But if something stops brain growth — such as a virus — pressure on the skull drops. And the skull can collapse down onto the brain.

Five stories that have North Texas talking: Plano will release the fish in a large pond this afternoon; more people are arrested for student loan debt in Houston than any other major city; a Texas Senator fears for the U.S. electric grid; and more.